I'm looking at getting out of the POS SUV that I somehow got myself into a few years back and have regretted every since. I am partial to Fords and was thinking of getting a used F150 with the Triton V8. Main reason for wanting to get a pickup, is to pull a 22'-24' boat for fishing in the sound. Figured before I plunk the money down and get a truck and then find out it's too small, I'd better ask and see if anybody has one, and/or knows the towing capacity. Any info would be helpful. I really don't want to go as big as the F250 if I don't need to.

the half ton will have enough power but the suspension wont be stong enough for it. and with desiel prices the way they are right now, 3/4 tons are getting to be more affordable buy, and will definatly last longer.

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I don't always shoot big mule deer, but when I do, it's with a bow tech!

I traded in my Super Duty 3/4 ton Powerstroke for a Super Crew F150/5.4. I have a simple 24 foot travel trailer and I really miss the Powerstroke when towing. The F150 will get the job done, but it really struggles compared to the 3/4 ton with diesel. If you tow a lot, my advice would be to look at the 3/4 ton and the diesel. If it's an occasional thing, you'll probably be fine with the F150, especially if your boat trailer has brakes.

Pulling a 21' Trophy with a Expadition/Triton 8, surge brake/single axle set up, and do just fine. But you should have dual axles with that big of boat, and go with the 3/4 ton truck. The ZF 5 speeds are GREAT transmitions if you go Ford.

Main reason for wanting to get a pickup, is to pull a 22'-24' boat for fishing in the sound.

Sounds like you don't have the boat yet... There is a lot of variables in that range of boat and trailer combo's to be cutting towing capacity close to what you think it's going to be, then really wishing you'd gone with a heavier vehicle. That said, if you don't plan on towing it often and took the back roads, you could probably do it with a Ranger...

Full disclosure - I have a 2006 F250 Supercab 4X4 with the 6.0, and absolutely love the SuperDuty line of trucks (pre-2008, anyway) - I believe they are the best light truck out there, hands down. I love to do the basic maintenance on it, since nothing ever seems to wear out. Still on the original set of brake pads at 75K, and I do tow a fair amount (they are getting close, however). I've never felt that it was "too big" to drive anywhere - even to the fuel station, thanks to the diesel. My bro has a 2009 F150 with the 5.4, and I'd say it would get the job you need done - but I'll bet dimes to dollars if you got a heavy fiberglass inboard 24'er you'll be wishing you'd gone with a F250.

the truck would mainly be used for commuting back and forth to work, between covington and renton, and then on the weekends to pull the boat to/from covington and point D. don't plan on pulling it all over the place. And I must be missing something on the diesel issue, cuz I don't understand the recommendation to go with diesel. Isn't diesel fuel like @.30/gal more expensive than regular gas? What? Is the gas mileage on a diesel that much better than a regular gas engine? I used to have a F250, with the 460 in it, and that thing would pull like a mother, but it couldn't pass a gas station. It only got between 5-8mpg depending on if I was pulling the 35' fifthwheel trailer I used to pull. I can't imagine what a big turbo diesel would be like; specially using it for commuting mainly.And yes, I do not have the boat yet. can't get the boat till I have something to pull it with. don't think my saturn vue with the 3.5L 6-banger would pull much of anything. In any case, the boat will probably be more in the 20'-22' range. thanks for the input so far guys.

I was pulling a fiber glass 19' bass boat with a 4banger Tacoma - it can be done! It blows though. Just bought a 3 horse slant gooseneck, diesel is the only way to go. Get about close to 13mpg with it loaded. 20 unloaded. Chevy Duramax 2500 HD. I like the idea of it sticking around for a while, sure gas is cheaper, but I'll take a diesel rig anyday for longevity purposes.

I have a 2007 F-150 Crew cab with the 5.4 in it. It is rated to pull 9200 lbs. I have pulled a trailer with close to 10,000 lbs of river rock with it without problem. I just had to take it slow. Making sure the trailer has good functioning brakes will make a huge difference on how much you will want to pull. I have also pulled a 1979 20 foot camp trailer loaded down with elk hunting gear down the Lewiston grade and then up the Cloverland grade into the Blues ( and then back down and back up) without any problems at all. But I agree with Hyde above: The half ton will not pull like a 3/4 ton will, but it depends on how often you will be towing. If you will be driving the truck mainly on its own (without something behind it) then I would go with the 1/2 ton, but if you are getting the pickup just to tow with then I'd go with a 3/4 ton.

I pull a 6000 lb 22 four winns with surge brakes with my F150. Definitely not the ideal situation, but I don't tow it that often.

Diesel isn't practical for me as a daily driver and I have committed to replace my F150 with another F150 when the time comes. If you start getting in the 7000-9000 range on your 22 foot boat that you are looking at, make sure you have electric trailer brakes.

I towed my boat from Spokane to Lake Shasta and back. Again it would have been easier with a Diesel, but not necessary.

It's not the rating that makes a good tow rig or not. Like I said, I was pulling my boat with a 4cyl. There's fuel eff, tranny wear, brakes, etc. If you're not pulling it often or far, stick with your rig. If you're going to increase distance, over passes, and higher frequency - upgrade. For what you're doing, it sounds like you might be better off with you current situation if you're not wanting to pull the trigger on a bigger rig.

Different truck I know but a fair comparison.I had a 21.5' Bluewater Cuddy...heavy boat...pulling it with my 2002 half ton Silverado. It did fine on the west side until I hit the pass. If I drove it like I should, big hills like Snoqualmie or Stevens pass were brutal. 40mph if I didn't push it. I could push it and pull that hill at 55-60 but I felt like I was watching my motor come apart. Big RPM's and lots of transmission upshifting and downshifting. BOOO.... My truck has a 7500# tow rating and is rated at 295hp. I have cold air intake and exhaust which probably only gives me a little more power. I would expect the same results out of any 1/2 ton truck. My buddy tows a 25' boat to and from his moorage with a Grand Cherokee. He only does it 2 times a year. Bottom line is that it depends on what you expect. MAke sure the truck you buy has factory tow so you get the heavier duty cooling stuff. Don't "settle" for installing a hitch after the fact because the truck probably won't have the heavy duty cooling and whatever else comes with a factory installed tow package. Add-on trans coolers are lame IMO and are an additonal potential for leakage so don't settle for "making" a truck with a tow package.

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" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Different truck I know but a fair comparison.I had a 21.5' Bluewater Cuddy...heavy boat...pulling it with my 2002 half ton Silverado. It did fine on the west side until I hit the pass. If I drove it like I should, big hills like Snoqualmie or Stevens pass were brutal. 40mph if I didn't push it. I could push it and pull that hill at 55-60 but I felt like I was watching my motor come apart. Big RPM's and lots of transmission upshifting and downshifting. BOOO.... My truck has a 7500# tow rating and is rated at 295hp. I have cold air intake and exhaust which probably only gives me a little more power. I would expect the same results out of any 1/2 ton truck. My buddy tows a 25' boat to and from his moorage with a Grand Cherokee. He only does it 2 times a year. Bottom line is that it depends on what you expect. MAke sure the truck you buy has factory tow so you get the heavier duty cooling stuff. Don't "settle" for installing a hitch after the fact because the truck probably won't have the heavy duty cooling and whatever else comes with a factory installed tow package. Add-on trans coolers are lame IMO and are an additonal potential for leakage so don't settle for "making" a truck with a tow package.

echo Jack's comments on the Tow package. The 2009 F150 and later added a 6 speed automatic transmission that is similar in concept to the Alison transmission that includes a true tow haul mode that changes shift points, use of overdrive, down shifting when braking, and manual shift function. The towing package includes a larger transmission cooler, electronic trailer brake controller, hitch, larger discs on the braking system, and the trailer wiring harness.

I know Chevy and Dodge have done similar things for their half ton, but I don't know when it started or to what extent. I have been tracking the F150's changes.

I still say you will be happier with the Diesel and 3/4 ton, but it isn't necessary. IF you have friends that have both 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons, go for a ride with them when they are towing somethihng.

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

I have a 4.6L F150 4x4 with the tow package and it does fine with my 17’ boat. I did tow a 21’ Fourwinds with it for awhile and it OK expect when I took it over Stevens pass. I burnt the transmission fluid on that trip; no damage other than I had to replace the fluid.